Fellow Workers for Your Joy

Please turn to 2 Corinthians 1. I'd like to read a few verses in this chapter to introduce our sermon for this afternoon. That is 2 Corinthians 1. Beginning in verse 12, we begin to see that the Apostle Paul focuses on his ministry to the brethren, to the churches at that time.

2 Corinthians 1 and verse 12. I hope I said chapter 1. 2 Corinthians 1 and verse 12.

For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God and more abundantly to word you. For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. I trust you will understand even to the end. We'll skip on down to verse 18. As God is faithful, our word to you was not yes and no. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not yes and no, but in him was yes. God's message is a yes message, very positive. For all the promises of God in him are yes, and in him, amen, to the glory of God through us. And skipping on down to verse 23. Moreover, I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. Paul had had to correct them in the first letter. You can read that very stern correction.

Now verse 24, the verse I wanted to come to, not that we have dominion over your faith, but our fellow workers for your joy, for by faith you stand. I'd like for us to consider especially the latter portion of this verse, fellow workers for your joy. But first of all, what did he mean by not that we have dominion over your faith? The American Standard Version says not that we have lordship over your faith. And Moffat translates, it is not that we lord it over your faith. And the Phillips translation, we are not trying to dominate you and your faith.

The New English Bible, do not think we are dictating the terms of your faith.

And Coniberi, Epistles of Paul says, I speak not as though your faith was enslaved to my authority. You know, God's ministry does not have power or dominion over your faith. Your faith and my faith for each and every one of us stands between us and God. The ministry doesn't rule over our faith. It doesn't become between us and God. Instead, it says the ministry is to be fellow workers for your joy. The King James Version says helpers of your joy. The 20th century New Testament says we work with you for your true happiness. And the Knox New Testament translation says we would help you to achieve happiness. I'd like to focus on this afternoon. Paul says his ministry was then to be a way of helping people with their joy, helpers of your joy. We work with you for your true happiness. What did he mean by being a helper of their joy? And that is the job, the responsibility of a minister. You know, that's really my job description today as well, and the job description of any of God's ministers down through the ages to be a helper of the joy of ones that God calls into his church. Helpers of your joy. Let's identify what is your joy.

The ministry is to be a helper of your joy. All this sounds very positive, doesn't it? A helper of your joy? Very, very positive, and indeed it is. But what is your joy? Well, is it striking it rich? Is it winning the sweet steaks? Maybe winning millions and millions of dollars?

Being able to live in leisure and ease without a struggle or a challenge? You know, that would not be joy, real joy. It would not be lasting happiness and not real joy at all. But a minister of God is a helper of the real joy that we have. And what is that? What is that real joy that we have? Let's go to Matthew 13. When we first begin to hear the message of the kingdom of God, then we begin to experience that joy. Matthew 13, verse 44, Jesus said, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid, and for joy over it. He goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Please take note of the word joy as we read some of these verses here in the sermon, because a minister is to be a helper of our joy. And that joy begins when we hear the message about the kingdom of God. You know, I remember when I first began to understand it. How about you?

I was reading the Plain Truth magazine, began to study the Bible correspondence course, began to study booklets and articles, and heard the program on radio, Mr. Herbert Armstrong.

And there was a joy, and there still is a joy. So that joy begins when we first begin to hear the message of God's kingdom. Our eyes are blessed to be able to see that message, because many people do not. Let's turn back one chapter to Matthew 13 and verses 10 and 11. The disciples came and said to him, Why do you speak to them in parables? He answered and said to them, Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but it has not been given to them. So there's a mystery to the world, but it has been given to those that God calls. And when a person understands it, there's a joy. I'll tell you when you really get the message about the kingdom of God, there is a joy that is indescribable. No words. There are not any words in our language that could possibly describe or express that joy. In verse 16 here, Matthew 13 and verse 16, Blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear.

For assuredly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see and did not see it and to hear what you hear and did not hear it. So we are very blessed to be able to understand about the kingdom of God. This calling from God begins with an understanding of the true gospel. We may understand one aspect of it or another. We may understand a doctrinal type issue. We may understand the Sabbath. It may be a prophetic issue. It may be the millennium. But some aspect of the gospel of the kingdom of God, we begin to understand it. Then we learn other things from there. We come to the point that because the gospel does demand action, we come to the point that we want to repent. We want to devote our lives to seeking after the kingdom of God first and foremost. We want to be baptized. So we seek counseling with one of God's ministers about baptism. You know at the time that you respond to the gospel, let's turn over to Luke chapter 15. Notice what happens up around God's throne. In Luke chapter 15 and in verse 8, what woman having 10 silver coins, she loses one. Actually, I'd like to go back and even begin in verse 3. He spoke a parable to them. What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost until he finds it. When he is founded, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say to you that likewise there shall be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

So there's joy when we respond to the gospel. And then verse 8 on down, what woman having 10 silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it. And when she is founded, she calls her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the peace which I lost. Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. So the indication is that the angels of God rejoice. And of course, God our Father and Jesus Christ rejoice when we repent and when we are baptized. Can you imagine that? When you were baptized, whenever it was, there was joy, our Father in heaven, and Jesus Christ, and the angels rejoiced at your repentance and your baptism. Of course, many times when we baptize, there are other members present, and even sometimes a mate that's already baptized, and they are present. There's joy here on the earth as well. That's a happy time. Baptism is just a joyful and happy time. You know, we're identifying a minister then is to be a helper of your joy. And what is your joy? We're trying to identify that and showing it to be clearly to be seeking after the kingdom of God, understanding the very purpose for which we are here. It's the ultimate purpose of our lives. And our joy then focuses on the kingdom of God. And you know, ultimately, that as we focus on God's kingdom, it's going to bring us to the ultimate possible joy that would be entering God's eternal kingdom. Let's read about that in Matthew 25. This would be the end result of the process of transformation that happens after repentance and baptism and receiving God's Holy Spirit, a process of conversion, a process of transformation takes place. And if we're overcoming, if we complete our spiritual course, then there's going to be a joy that is just indescribable. In Matthew 25 and verse 21, His Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. This was said to the one that had five talents and increased five. Verse 22, the one that had two increased by two more.

And in verse 23, the Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.

So, you know, the thing we're talking about today is the joy of God's kingdom.

And a minister is to be the helper of that joy as we prepare along the way. And, of course, here in Matthew 25, this is the culmination of this process of transformation and conversion. This is the end result where we will be able to enter into God's kingdom as one of His children, one of His sons. But, you know, there's joy along the way. All their trials, yes, and we'll be sure to include that. There are persecutions. There may be extreme persecution. What about death? Would that that would surely take away any joy, wouldn't it, of seeking after setting our minds on God's kingdom? No. No death. We know it's just temporary. We're going to die anyway. Whether we die when we're younger or older, does it make that much difference? We're going to die unless, you know, we live until Christ returns. We're going to die. So it doesn't really matter, does it, when death comes? So we'll see that even death does not take away that joy of seeking after God's kingdom, focusing on that, and working and preparing to be a part of God's eternal family and kingdom. There's joy then, here, and now, as we prepare for the kingdom of God. And the minister is to help that joy. And I hope that you are having a life that has a lot of joy in it, and I hope you can have more. You know, Jesus talked about this on the night before he died in John 16, in John chapter 16, and in verse 20.

And while we're getting over to John 16, let's stop by John 15. John 15 and verse 11. John 15 and verse 11. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. Look at that! Jesus Christ here, talking to His disciples on the night before He died, let them know that He wanted His joy to remain in them, and that their joy may be full. God wants our joy to be full. He has every good thing in mind for us as His children. And He wants us to have a joyful life, here and now, as well as forever. In John 16 and verse 20.

Most assuredly I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice, talking about His death. And you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned to joy.

And then in verse 24, until now, you've asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full. And guess what? When we ask according to God's will, we always receive.

We can ask for God to help us to grow. We don't have to say, well, help me to grow if it's your will. It is His will. Now, some things, if there's a physical ailment, we put that in God's hands.

If He decides to heal us, that is wonderful. And He does in many times. Other times, like the Apostle Paul, He might choose not to heal for our own spiritual good. God will do what is best on the physical area, in some of those physical areas of our life. But we're in good hands, even there. We don't have to worry about it. We should do all we can to do our part, but God will certainly provide if we do our part. He's promised to do that. But on the spiritual side, we know that the things that we ask help us to grow, help your work and your will to be done, and your kingdom to come. All of these things we know is God's will. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full. The early church had this joy, and we certainly ourselves want to make sure that we have it. Let's read in Acts chapter 2. The church had just begun, and there was just a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of excitement in the early church. Acts chapter 2 and verses 46 and 47. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness. And that's joy, isn't it? With gladness.

Maybe some translations might even have joy there. With gladness and simplicity of heart.

Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. So the church was very joyful. There's joy as we have set our minds on preparing to be in God's kingdom. There's joy as we go through this process of conversion.

In Acts chapter 8, Philip went down to the city of Samaria. Acts chapter 8. And in verse 5, he preached to them, and they listened, verse 6, to the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. And also the miracles of casting out unclean spirits and paralyzed people and the lame were healed. And verse 12 says that when they believed Philip, as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God, they came to understand about the kingdom of God.

In the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. So they were happy. They were joyful. That is in verse 8. We skipped over that verse. There was great joy in that city. So, you know, when people begin to understand the truth about God's kingdom, there is joy. In Acts chapter 15, the Apostle Paul here came into an area. I should say, had been preaching to the Gentiles. And this is the chapter about the conflict over circumcision. Verse 1, certain men from Judea said you had to be circumcised according to the custom of Moses. Paul and Barnabas had no small dissentation and dispute with them.

They determined to send people to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders. And so verse 3, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles and they caused great joy to all the brethren. That was a focus on the work of God that was being done and the people were excited about it. Great joy. You know, when we understand then about God's kingdom, there is a joy that we begin to experience that we never had before. And I want you to, you know, kind of be thinking about your own life and your own...

the time you came to understand the message about the kingdom of God and then how you responded to it. You eventually were repented and you were baptized. And here you've had this number of years. You've been through your ups and downs. If you've been in the church many years, many of us have. We've been tried and tested and there have been trials and persecutions and difficult times and good times. But there's a joy that is constant, that is there.

That doesn't depend upon the physical circumstances. There's an underlying joy of seeking after God's kingdom. God's kingdom hasn't changed, no matter what circumstances may have changed or been different. And there's a deep inner joy that you just really could not describe, that is motivating you toward sonship in God's kingdom. Let's go to 1 Peter chapter 1. Peter puts this in very, puts it very nicely, even including some of the difficulties that we go through on this journey toward entering God's kingdom and the joy that we have on this journey. You know, it's not just what I'm trying to say in the sermon right now is that it's not just the destination that's going to be joy.

It is the trip on the way to the destination. We're on the trip now on the way to our destination. And that is joy, and that joy grows deeper all the time. 1 Peter chapter 1 and verse 2, he talks, he directs this letter to the elect in these areas described in verse 1.

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. God knew that he would call ahead of time certain ones in this age. In sanctification of the Spirit for obedience and that's what we're striving to do is to be obedient to God in sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. That's the forgiveness that is possible for our shortcomings. Grace to you and peace be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope.

See, we were physically begotten and human life resulted, but there's a spiritual beget to being talked about here. To a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away like human life does fade away. Reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this, and he brings out that, hey, this seeking after this inheritance involves some trials along the way. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you've been grieved by various trials. That the genuineness, here's why God lets us go through some of the difficult times, to see how genuine our faith is. That the genuineness of your faith being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

So God is putting, letting us go through trying and testing. He has something in mind. And I tell you, you know, I look at my congregations that I pastor, and I have ones that go back 25 years. They go back to the ministry of Mr. Herbert Armstrong more than 25 years ago. They go back, many of them, to more than 40 years ago, and some of them 50 years ago. So we have members of God's Church who have been through a lot of trying and testing down through the years.

But guess what? That joy they had when they first heard a message, first read a magazine. That joy has been there. It's been through trying and testing trials in difficult times. That joy of seeking after God's kingdom has remained constant. Verse 8, "...whom having not seen..." We've not seen Jesus with our eyes, and that's literally with our eyes.

"...and having not seen, you love..." And we do. "...though now you do not see Him, yet believing..." And I like this expression, "...you rejoice..." It fits right into the sermon so nicely, and how the ministry is helpers of your joy. "...you rejoice with joy inexpressible." The King James translation says, "...joy unspeakable." But I think I like joy inexpressible better.

It shows that we cannot express. Our language is not capable. Our human language, English, or whatever language is not capable of expressing the joy that we feel. That comes, that joy when we sold everything, when we first heard the message of the kingdom of God. That joy is inexpressible. We cannot find... they're not words in human languages to express that joy.

"...you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory." Yes, there are difficult times, as Peter brought out in these verses. And Jesus said that the way will be straight, which means difficult, and narrow, which means hard. The Apostle Paul said it's through many and much tribulation that we must enter the kingdom of God. But guess what? The trial and tribulation doesn't diminish the joy. The joy is there. Seeking after God's kingdom is not affected by... the joy of seeking God's kingdom is not affected by the trials that we go through. The joy is there as we face persecution, and these people were going through a time of the trying of their faith. The joy is there. What about if you were facing death?

Could you do that? With God's help, yes, you could. In Hebrews 12, we have some verses of one that was facing death, and yet he had joy as he faced this tremendous and painful time in his life. In Hebrews 12, verses 1 and 2, Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded, are so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight. We do have those weights that come along to weigh us down, but we can lay them aside. And the sin that so easily ensnares us, and it does, seems to come so easily and so naturally.

Well, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, this process of conversion, of transformation. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Looking to Jesus. Brethren, are we doing that enough? Looking to Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation, our chief shepherd in the church, our high priest, the coming king of this earth. Looking to Jesus, the author, and that's the beginning then, and the finisher, in the end of our faith. He'll see us all the way through from the time we first heard and understood the message of the kingdom of God. All the way through until God says to us, well done, good and faithful servant. We've got to run that race with endurance. Looking to Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross. Yes, there can be and there will be with God's Spirit a joy as we endure even death if it were to come. Despise him the shame and he's set down at the right hand of God.

You know, what joy could Jesus possibly have had? Wasn't it that of fulfilling God's purpose and plan? That the sins of a way for the sins of mankind to be forgiven? Wasn't it that there would be many brethren? Just think of that. It wasn't... Jesus asked if there was a way to do it some other way that were possible, but he said that the Father's will be done.

So it wasn't easy at all, but he thought of billions and billions of brothers and sisters in God's family. That must have been going through his mind. This makes possible this suffering, this pain makes possible billions and billions to be in brothers and sisters to be in the family. So as we would go through something like that, we would think of also being one of those brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

So clearly then our joy is the gospel of the kingdom of God. The good news that we may enter God's family is that it is our joy. That's what we live for. That's what we live for.

That's what we are changing our lives and being transformed for. How does the ministry then serve as helpers of your joy? That's what Paul mentioned there, not lording it over your faith, but helpers of your joy or fellow workers of your joy. The word helper in Greek is sinargos.

Sinargos. S-U-N-E-R-G-O-S. It has two roots in Greek. It is from sun, S-U-N, which means together, in close union with, something that is very close and together. And then ergon, which means to work or to labor. So this means to work together. The New King James translation is a good translation. Fellow workers for your joy.

I remember growing up on a family farm. I have brothers and sisters. My father and mother, we'd all work together. We'd all have a hoe. We might be out chopping corn. Some other working in the garden. We worked together side by side. There was a lot of talking going on as a family.

And if one, maybe younger, got behind in their row, we'd help catch that person up. Many, many things you learn just working together on a farm. It was a family industry, a family business. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Working together. That's what we're doing in the church. We're rolling up our sleeves. And the ministry and the membership of the church, we're working together side by side. We're co-laborers, fellow workers. How does a minister... How is a minister of God a helper of your joy? Well, I've had many ministers of God to be helpers of my joy. I first of all heard the message through Mr. Herbert Armstrong. He was preaching the message on radio. I read articles in the Plain Truth magazine. And so Mr. Armstrong and other ministers helped me a lot. When I went to Ambassador College, I had teachers that helped teach me.

And when I came to the point of wanting to be baptized, there was a minister there to counsel with and to baptize me. And there were ministers to counsel with and help me with questions and needs along the way. I had a very severe toothache one time. There was a minister to anoint me. So, you know, God's ministers are there to labor with the membership. I've had ministers to labor with me. And my job as a minister is... This is my job description.

And that is a fellow worker of your joy. You can't find a better job description than that. A fellow worker with the joy of the membership or the members of God's church.

So the Word of God is first preached by God's ministers. That's how the Word is spread. That's how it's been done now. On the Beyond Today program and the Good News magazine, the booklets and articles, the Word is being spread by ministers of God.

Ministers of God has chosen to do that. When a person responds to our message, then he will write to us and a minister of God will visit him or he may send an email. We'll email him back, sometimes just simply giving an address and saying, you're welcome to come. The person comes to church. As he continues to come, he may ask questions. And the ministry is there to explain and answer those questions from the Bible and things that we believe that are different than the world. The person, then later, will come to the point of wanting to act on the gospel, to repent and to be baptized. So he counsels with the minister of the church.

And the minister, when the person is ready for baptism, will baptize him and put his body down, immerse him into the water and bring him back out and lay hands upon him, asking God's Spirit to be given. And week by week, the minister will be there to continue to serve, will be there for sermons and many other ways to serve and to nourish. The minister is to watch over his sheep. He's the shepherd. It's his responsibility. His job is to visit the sick and encourage them, the downcast, the discouraged, and to help them. God's ministers, and we've said a lot about this in the United Church of God, are to have the heart of a shepherd. The heart of a shepherd, a shepherd cares for his little sheep. And if one is lost, he does go looking for that lost sheep, as we read. He tries to keep his sheep together, not to let them be scattered. And if there's some wild animal, he will defend his flock against the wild animal that would devour one or more of his sheep. So God's ministers are there to be helpers of your joy. It is a rewarding job in many, many ways. It has its heartaches because there are struggles that members of the Church go through. There are difficult times. Sometimes there may be severe problems, maybe relationship problems that develop between members, between a husband and wife, or others in the Church. And so things are not always easy. And the minister, though, tries to help in every way that he can. Let's read a few verses that the ministry is not a wonderful job. It also is a challenging job in many ways. 2 Corinthians chapter 6.

We have a few verses. The apostle Paul was inspired by God to be very personal in some of the hardships faced by the ministry. He listed all the things he had gone through in his journeys and preaching the gospel and shipwreck being cold and naked. And he goes through some of those feelings in his heart here to the Corinthians. The Corinthians, Paul, had difficulty having them to relate to him as much as he would like. He was wide open to them, but they were not wide open to him. They had their reservations about him. What's he really after? Is he after our money? Some of the other false ministers that came in were after money. So the Corinthians had trouble opening up to Paul. Paul talks about it openly here in 2 Corinthians chapter 6. In verse 3, we give no offense in anything. He's talking about the ministry. We give no offense in anything. The true minister of God strives to live that way, to give no offense in anything. That our ministry may not be blamed.

The true minister doesn't want his ministry to be blamed. But in all things, we commend ourselves as ministers of God in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments. I've been through some of these things, but some of them I've not been imprisoned yet or had stripes laid upon me, in tumult, in labors, in sleeplessness. I've had that in fastings, by purity, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor. The ministry sometimes is honored, sometimes it's dishonored. By evil report and good report. There's both of those as well.

As deceivers. People that just think you're trying to deceive them, and yet true, really got the truth. As unknown and yet well known. As dying and behold we live.

As chastened and yet not killed. As sorrowful yet always rejoicing.

As poor yet making many rich. As having nothing and yet possessing all things. It's a rich passage of some of the ups and downs a minister has. It describes it in very graphic terms.

Paul then, getting very emotional with the Corinthians, said, Old Corinthians, we have spoken openly to you. Our heart is wide open.

We've been wide open in our relationship with you. See, the minister, the shepherd, really wants nothing more than a relationship that is wide open. Just like you want that with every person. You want that kind of relationship with everyone. Relationship that is wide open. Our heart is wide open. You're not restricted by us, but you're restricted by your own affections. Your own mind and heart. Somehow you're restricted. You hold back. Now, in return for the same, I speak as to children. You also be open. It's just appealing to them in a fatherly way as to children that they open up.

So, the ministry has, you know, its hard, difficult times. Let's go to another situation.

Kind of get, maybe today, in the sermon to the helpers of your joy to see some of the heartache that a minister goes through, sometimes being a helper of your joy. And yes, there is sleeplessness. Turn over to the book of Galatians as I keep on talking here. There is sleeplessness. I have awoken many, many a night instead of wait for hours. Of course, you've had things to weigh on your mind. Haven't you? You ever had things to weigh on your mind? You wake up at two o'clock in the morning. You get the thinking about it. You can't go back to sleep. Well, we in the ministry sometimes have situations that develop in the church. We wake up at two o'clock and just begin to think about it and become wide awake and cannot go back to sleep. It just weighs on our hearts and minds so very much. In Galatians chapter 1 and verse 6, Paul had some problems here in Galatia that were heartbreaking to him. He had taught them. He had come in and preached the gospel. They had responded to it. They had repented. They were baptized. They were on their way toward the kingdom of God when problems developed. Galatians chapter 1 and verse 6, I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you to the grace of Christ to a different gospel.

Brethren, thus heartbreaking when someone that's been called to the church would turn to a different gospel. In chapter 3 and verse 1, I don't have time to read all the verses but just a few of the ones here.

Galatians chapter 3 and verse 1, O foolish Galatians! I think he said this straight from the shoulder. I think he said it with love. O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified.

So, O foolish Galatians! And then coming on over to chapter 4 and verse 11, I am afraid for you.

I'm afraid for you. Lest I have labored for you in vain. Brethren, I urge you to become as I am, for I am as you are. You have not injured me at all, except that he had broken his heart for what they were doing. You know that because of physical infirmity, I preached the gospel to you at the first. My trial was in my flesh, and you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. It's caused some to speculate that Paul may have had some vision problems. You would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

He gets rather plain. They zealously court you, but for no good. Yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. They want to get you to follow them, these false teachers coming in.

Verse 18 is good to be zealous and a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

My little children, verse 19 is just a key verse here in this book as far as a minister's heartache. My little children, for whom I labor and birth again until Christ is formed in you.

I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I have doubts about you.

So the Apostle Paul was trying to get them back on track again. They were getting off the track.

How would you feel if you had those that you were responsible for as a shepherd were getting off the track? Paul was just heartbreaking that they were so quickly removing from the gospel that he had brought to them. A minister has heartaches. We worry about our flock at times. Sometimes we lie awake at night, and there are anxious moments. But there's another side. Brethren do grow, and they do change, and they do overcome. Problems are worked out, and that is encouraging.

Marriages are strengthened, and families draw closer, and there's spiritual growth.

It's rewarding to see someone become an ex-smoker. I've seen that many times in my ministry.

It's rewarding to see someone become an ex-drunk or not using alcohol in excess.

It's rewarding to see someone become an ex-anything. That is the breaking of God's laws. That's the real joy of a minister of God. The real joy for the ministry, just as a minister is the helper of your joy, if you wanted to help the minister have joy, the real joy is to be growing spiritually and to be overcoming. To be applying the gospel message to your life and living by it. That's the joy that we have in the ministry, that you be growing spiritually and being transformed.

Let's read a few verses about that in Philippians chapter 1 and verse 25. Philippians chapter 1 and verse 25.

Being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you, with you all, for your progress and joy of faith.

So here's that church that Paul was so positive toward, the Philippian church, and they were so giving to him. And he wanted to remain longer so that he could help them with their progress and their joy of faith. In chapter 4 and verse 1, we see that close relationship with this church. Therefore, my beloved and longed for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord beloved. That's a beautiful verse when we think about the relationship which went up pastor and his congregation.

My beloved and longed for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord beloved.

So there is joy when brethren stand fast. What's the greatest joy for God's ministers? Of course, the greatest joy will be when God, when you grow and overcome, we all grow and overcome. And God says, well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord when we have made it into God's family. That's the greatest joy. But I mean here and now, as we are in this process of conversion and transformation. Let's go to 3 John verse 4.

Here's the greatest joy. John expresses it. 3 John, the little book of 3 John, and verse 4.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

There's no greater joy than to see brethren that are striving to do it right.

That's the greatest joy that there is. You know, I have four congregations, and I look at my members, and I have each one on the address list, and I do consider each and every one where he is. And if there's any way I can help his joy, the joy of his salvation.

But I see so many that have endured down through the years and decades. They've gone through the ups and downs that we've had in the trials and difficulties in life and in the church, in the world. That's rewarding. And I think, well, you know, we have so many of tried and tested people. It's very rewarding. I'm happy and encourage all of us to continue.

The greatest joy that we all can have is to go ahead and finish that race and endure to the end. Let's read Acts 20 and verse 24. This race is a joyous race. We stay focused on it. Yes, sir. There's a lot of joy along the way. Sure, there are trials and difficulties, but there's a joy that overrides it all. Acts 20 and verse 24. But none of these things move me. None of the problems. Nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy. Brethren, don't you and I want to do the same thing? We begin this race with joy. When you first heard the message of God's kingdom and really understood it, and you began to follow it, you began your race. You began it with joy. Don't you want to finish it with joy? I know you do.

So Paul wanted to keep right on going and finish his race with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. So we need to go right on, just as Paul, to finish our race with joy. Just a few verses to kind of wrap things up. It is clear in the Bible that God has structured the church with human leadership under Christ.

And that's how I came into church. Human leadership preached the message, taught me, guided me, explained verses to me, counseled me, baptized me, the human leadership of the church.

And I still have human leadership that guides and directs today. Our president, I pray for him every day. I hope you do. Our council of elders, I pray for them every day. And for the leadership of department heads, operation leaders at the home office, I pray for them every day.

So we do need to pray for the leadership that God has placed in the church. And he has and have complete trust and faith. He's guiding them and follow them as they follow Christ.

Not saying follow them if they go in the wrong direction, as has happened. But follow, like Paul said, imitate or follow me as I follow Christ. Let's go to 2 Corinthians 12 and verse 18. It is God then that has placed our human leadership there. And it's there then as fellow workers of our joy. Help us in the joy of our journey toward the kingdom of God, becoming members of God's family. That's what the ministry is there for. 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 18.

Now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as he pleased. I have faith in that, don't you? God has placed the members in the body just as it is pleased him.

And then in verse 28, God has appointed these in the church, apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings, and administrations, and so forth. Let's go to Ephesians chapter 4.

Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 11. He himself gave some, and again this comes from God then. He himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

That's what all of us in the ministry are striving for. We're trying to bring us to the full maturity and unity and knowledge of God, the perfect man. We're not there yet, but we're making progress. We want to keep making progress.

God's ministers then are chosen by God. They're shepherds. Who are God's ministers? They are shepherds working under the chief shepherd. They're working under the overall direction of the chief shepherd, Jesus Christ. And they're servants. The very word minister means servant.

He's not lording it over your faith, as Paul said. You know, for a minister of God, it's an honor and privilege then to be helpers of your joy. It's truly a daily joy of God's ministry. I'd like to read two passages in conclusion. Jude verses 24 and 25. It's a joy to serve God's people, the helpers of their joy. And so many have helped my joy. We're all in this together, working side by side. Jude 24 and 25. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling.

Brother, we could stumble, but if we stay close to God, then that won't happen to us. To him that's able to keep you from stumbling, you don't have to stumble. People have stumbled right out of the church. Sometimes over small things, but it does not have to happen to us.

Him that's able to keep you from stumbling and present you faultless before his presence, or before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. God is able then, if we continue this transformation, he will present us perfect and faultless when Jesus Christ returns. And there will be exceeding joy to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. So there's going to be exceeding joy if we go on and complete this transformation process. Let's go to 1 Corinthians 2, verse 17.

No, 1 Thessalonians 2 and verse 17. But we, brethren, have been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.

Therefore we wanted to come to you, even I, Paul, time and again, but Satan hindered us.

For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing? What is a minister's hope?

What's his joy? What's his crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? Yes, it's his flock. A minister's hope is a minister's joy, a minister's crown of rejoicing. Is his flock rising up in the air, having gone through the process of transformation, having overcome, rising up in the air to meet Jesus Christ at his coming?

That's the minister's hope and joy and crown of rejoicing.

Paul goes on to say in verse 20, for you are our glory and joy.